008 The Feast of the Epiphany
Readings
Cycle B The Epiphany of the LordOld Testament: Isa. 60:1-6
Psalm: Ps. 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13 (cf. 11)
New Testament: Eph. 3:2-3a, 5-6
Gospel: Mt. 2:1-12
Homily Theme
Light in the Darkness
The feast of the Epiphany is celebrated this Sunday. In many countries this is when Christians give gifts to each other in imitation of the Magi who came with gifts for the Christ Child. They came from the East searching for the Divine Child following the light of a star. The Magi, who were astrologers, traveled far in their search for the child which took them to the palace of King Herod. As a Jew, the King sought guidance from his Jewish priests and scribes and even though they shed light upon the prophesied future king who was to be born in Bethlehem; Herod remained in the darkness, as did most of the people at that time. After two thousand years and much more light shed upon our world by the many Christian saints and miracles they performed, most of our world chooses to remain in darkness, too. They still haven’t found the Christ Child.
Many years ago, I had the good fortune to be in Mexico City during this Feast, which they call the Feast of the Three Kings. During the meal at a restaurant, three men dressed as kings entered carrying gifts. They went from table to table asking, “Have you found the Christ child?” Outside in the streets there was much merriment and joy for the celebration. Everyone was greeting each other asking, 'Have you found the Christ child?' This was an Epiphany I will never forget. I could see by their joyful excitement they had found the Christ child as they danced and sang in the light of many candles. After our baptism the priest gave us a candle as he told us to receive the light of Christ. Many have allowed that light to be extinguished and have returned to a life of darkness of disbelief. A recent survey shows as many as 80% of students lose their faith during their college years.
Most of us will remember the song we learned as a child and sang, ‘This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine’. Hopefully you have a manger scene in your home with the three Magi in adoration of the Christ Child. I would suggest that you gather around it tonight in darkness, with lighted candles as you sing that song again. Proclaim to your family, young and old, that you have found the Christ child. Spend some time with Him in a family prayer. It will be a lasting memory of Epiphany for your children and grandchildren for years to come. In future years they will recall the night when they gathered together and prayed as a family with the Magi. It could be the start of a family tradition for generations to come. They will never forget the night they found the Christ child and started a new tradition to pass on to their children and grandchildren.
Jesus is the Light in the Darkness, so let Him shine in you.